Ryan Garcia vs. Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz is still in negotiations, as they look to potentially move up to 144 pounds for their welterweight bout in May at Times Square in Manhattan, New York. This is the doubles event for Turki Al-Sheikh, as Devin Haney takes on former WBC and WBO lightweight champion Jose Ramirez in a high-stakes bout.
Garcia Cruz is 144 years old
Fighting at welterweight is not ideal for the short 5’4″ Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) because he was small, even when he was fighting at lightweight. It will be interesting to see if Pitbull has more power at 144. If he is more dangerous at this weight than 140, Kingry (24-1, 20 KOs) could be in for a tough fight.
It would be a nightmare for Turki if Garcia and Haney lose their control fights on the same night, sending them to a rematch in October after humiliating defeats. Ryan has too much pride and might resist fighting Haney without at least trying to avenge his loss to Cruz by fighting him in October instead. It will be up to Turk if he still wants Garcia and Haney to fight after their defeats.
Haney's opponent, 2012 U.S. Olympian Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs), may have too much talent going for him. This is a guy that Devin would have had a hard time beating even before Ryan beat him last April, but then, he'll be vulnerable against a player like Ramirez.
Hani confronts Ramirez
When Haney agreed to fight Ramirez, he may have thought he had another Regis Prograis who could beat him by hitting and holding him down. However, Ramirez is a much better fighter than Prograis, and the tricks Haney used against Regis – constant clinching, punching and movement – wouldn't work as well against the experienced Ramirez. He often dealt with these types of fighters during his professional and amateur career.
Update: Talks are continuing #GarciaCruz…There is no economic agreement yet and the catch could reach 144 pounds.
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-Salvador Rodriguez (@ChavaESPN) January 19, 2025
Last updated on 01/19/2025
